Member Article

WBD's energy sector team advises on community-led wind turbine project

Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has advised Ambition Community Energy (ACE), a community interest company set up by local resident-driven charity Ambition Lawrence Weston, on its successful planning application for a 150m-tall wind turbine in Avonmouth, near Bristol.

Planning for the community-led 4.2 megawatt onshore wind turbine has been granted and at 150m is believed to be the tallest onshore wind turbine consented in England. The project is expected to generate enough electricity to power around 4000 homes a year and save over two tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.

The WBD energy team advising ACE was led by partner Vicki Redman and associate Josh Taylor, who provided key legal expertise, including on a pro-bono basis, in relation to planning strategy, funding and environmental matters.

Vicki Redman of WBD commented: “We’re thrilled to have advised ACE and the people of Lawrence Weston on this unique community energy scheme, which is four years in the making. There were complex challenges associated with this project, mainly due to the community nature of the scheme and the environmental constraints, but our legal expertise coupled with our strong track record advising on some of the largest renewable energy projects across the UK and beyond, meant we were able to assist in providing the best possible result for the client.”

Mark Pepper, development manager at Ambition Lawrence Weston, added: “We’re very grateful to WBD for their first rate legal advice and ongoing commitment to this project. Vicki, Josh and the rest of the team were a pleasure to deal with, guiding us through the tricky realms of onshore wind consenting.”

WBD has a strong history of advising on planning issues for some of the largest renewable energy projects across the world, having recently acted for Vattenfall on its application to build Norfolk Vanguard Offshore Wind Farm, the largest wind farm in the world powering nearly 2 million UK homes per year, while saving 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. Some of the firm’s energy clients in the UK include RES, EDF, Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables.

Ranking in the UK’s top 20 law firms, WBD advises over 40 FTSE 350 companies, including many of the largest businesses in the country, government organisations and private clients. In the latest edition of Chambers & Partners, WBD was ranked as a top tier firm for its planning expertise and listed as a National Leader (Outside London).

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Womble Bond Dickinson LLP .